Harnessing technological mega-trends in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Abdullah Al Juffali, president of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for Honeywell, talks to The Energy Year about driving localisation with a recently signed MoU with Saudi Aramco and the company’s renewed focus on the future of aviation, automation and the energy transition. Honeywell is a global technology and manufacturing company that provides sustainability solutions and products and services for aerospace, building and industrial automation and energy.

How does your new MoU with Aramco and the expansion of Honeywell’s operations in Saudi Arabia support Vision 2030 objectives?
During the IKTVA Forum & Exhibition 2025, we announced a new MoU with Aramco to further expand our footprint in Saudi Arabia, specifically our Honeywell UOP business. This will strengthen our localisation efforts and support Vision 2030 by turning goals into outcomes.
Honeywell has been a partner in Saudi Arabia for over seven decades. We sold our first critical component to Aramco in 1948, and we proudly continue our success in the country with developments such as the opening of our first assembly line dedicated to Fire Alarm and Building Management solutions in Saudi Arabia in June 2024. We also announced plans to open a new advanced manufacturing site at SPARK, which will become our eighth office in Saudi Arabia.

How is Honeywell contributing to Saudi Arabia’s sustainability, particularly in reducing carbon emissions and supporting net-zero targets?
Saudi Arabia’s goal is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060, with companies such as Aramco and Ma’aden aiming for 2050, and Honeywell targeting 2035. We are committed to this ambitious goal by partnering with our ecosystem and local partners to reduce carbon footprints.
For example, we are a partner of the National Energy Services Company (Tarshid), which aims to advance the efficiency of the country’s buildings in line with Vision 2030. In the oil and gas sector, we have a joint venture with Aramco focused on digitalising customers’ end-to-end plant management operating systems, which will not only enhance efficiency but also reduce carbon emissions across operations.

What business opportunities is Vision 2030 creating for Honeywell, and how do you envision the future of Saudi Arabia after 2030?
Vision 2030 is a transformative plan to unlock the potential of Saudi Arabia. It aims to increase GDP, diversify the economy and attract more foreign investment. This creates new business opportunities for companies like Honeywell, especially as Saudi Arabia works to improve the quality of life and empower local talent.
Our SPARK facility is set to be our eighth office in Saudi Arabia, and we continue to localise technologies for critical industries. Saudi Arabia is evolving into a global industrial powerhouse and logistics hub, and the progress we have seen at the IKTVA forum reaffirms that the country is on track to meet its long-term objectives. Even beyond 2030, Honeywell is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s growth and will remain a key player in its future development.

How is Honeywell diversifying its operations in Saudi Arabia beyond oil and gas?
We are focusing on the future of aviation, automation and the energy transition. In aviation, we are partnering with local groups on MRO [maintenance, repair and overhaul] services for engines. In automation, we have a joint venture with Aramco already underway to digitalise oil and gas operations in Saudi Arabia, across the region and globally. With both Honeywell and Aramco working together, we can enhance oil and gas and manufacturing operations end-to-end, delivering powerful results.
Cybersecurity is another key area for us, and we are strengthening our position in securing critical infrastructure, especially in the energy industry. We were excited to announce our Honeywell Himaya Center at IKTVA 2025. In 2023, the cybersecurity market in Saudi Arabia was valued at around USD 3.6 billion, and projections indicate it could grow to USD 10.5 billion by 2032. This growth will have a significant impact on Saudi Arabia’s GDP, contributing to job creation, the digitalisation of various industries and the strengthening of security capabilities across the industrial sector.

What is the weight of Saudi Arabia within Honeywell’s business in the MENA and Africa regions, and what does it mean for the company’s long-term strategy?
Honeywell operates along distinct regional lines, and in recent years, Saudi Arabia has been elevated to a region in its own right. This move reflects our commitment to the country and aligns with our leadership’s focus on strengthening our presence and fostering further localisation in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world, with significant developments across industries such as aviation, energy, and manufacturing. This growth is creating opportunities for domestic companies and opening doors for global companies to expand into the region.
Saudi Arabia’s leadership offers incentives for multinational companies to establish operations, benefiting both the country and the broader region. Honeywell’s local manufacturing facilities are an example of this, as they not only serve Saudi Arabia but also other markets across the region.

What sets Honeywell apart from other international players, and how is the company uniquely positioned to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals?
Honeywell’s portfolio is strategically aligned with three key mega-trends: the future of aviation, automation and the energy transition. This alignment enables us to provide comprehensive support to Saudi Arabia in achieving its ambitious long-term objectives, including sustainability, economic diversification and innovation, as outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.
We are also dedicated to localisation with a focus on manufacturing, technology and talent development. We have nearly 700 employees in Saudi Arabia, of which almost 50% are Saudi nationals and 20% are women. Developing local talent is a key factor in our success. Additionally, we recently upgraded our regional headquarters for our Energy and Sustainability Solutions business in Saudi Arabia, demonstrating our dedication to fostering local talent, accelerating economic diversification, and creating a better world for future generations.

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